Aldbourne, Wiltshire, England - Beating the Bounds, 2011

Description

This annual walk of just over 18 miles which 'beats' the boundary of the parish is an ancient custom, is said to date back 400 years, to a time before detailed maps were available. So the original purpose was to share knowledge of the parish lands and boundaries. It took place on Ascension Day or during Rogation Week in early May. The Aldbourne boundary walk was rediscovered in the mid sixties by Commander Davies, Dr. Trevor Tiplady and Anthony Brown. They traced the old boundary stones and after about three years established the route. The Commander then asked others to join him on this annual walk and so re-established the Aldbourne Beating the Bounds. This continued until 1983 when the Parish Council were asked to take over the organisation of the walk. A small committee was therefore set up to ensure the walk was continued. Donald Barnes and Brian Buckler have arranged the walk for 30 years - and Donald has led the walk throughout. This was the last walk to be arranged and led by this team. More than 50 people of all ages set out at 8am on Monday May 2nd, many others joined the walk after lunch and everyone arrived back at the war memorial on The Green at around 4.30. From next year David Parmiter and Paul Goodge will take the reins. If you are wondering about the scenes in which children are being 'bumped' on a large stone, this is because certain stones, trees or other marker points around a parish boundary used to be beaten by literally bumping a boy (often a <b>...</b>

Keywords

beating, the, bounds, Aldbourne, 2011, Wiltshire, England, walking, 18, miles, parish, boundaries, May, Net, Donald, Barnes, Brian, Buckler, David, Parmiter, Paul, Goodge, aldbourne.net, Travelling, Companions, travelingcompanions

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